Bruh, you forgot about how a lot of the interactions with NPCs can effect the late game. You can kill everyone in the gladiator holding pens, and escape, or you can follow that until the end after 9 fights and get the trust of the top tier gladiators, and escape with them, and they'll be there to help you at the end game. The story isn't much, true, but the interactivity between NPC stories is really well done.
Yeah interesting note about D&D settings. Forgotten Realm is the most popular and also probably the most mundane. The only one that is more run of the mill fantasy is Greyhawk Adventures. Spelljammer is basically D&D in space and Ravenloft is a world ruled by horror themed creatures (Vampires, Lycanthropes, Liches, etc.)
I never knew they made Dark Sun games. I read the books back in the mid 90s and they always stuck with me as they were some really original D&D fantasy stories.
Fandom Tribal Mask of the betrayer expansion for NWN 2 if my fav part of NWN ..its really good....oh yeah that's just the way it is...sometimes we like videos and other times we sit there like"Wtf" haha
One of my favorites. I'm playing through Dark Sun again at the moment. The music is killer. If you haven't heard the Roland LA version of the soundtrack, you might look it up. It kicks ass.
If u run the game in Dosbox, just choose Roland MT32 as music card, and a standard soundblaster card as SFX, it will accept that with no extra software installed.
@@jouce100 It is a matter of taste, its a better/cleaner sound, but it is also a lot different. I would suggest that you try it out at least and see what's most in your taste.
Dark Sun: Shattered Lands and Wake of the Ravager are now available on Steam as a package deal for $10. Steam collection title: Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Sun Series
I remember playing this game in 97/98 in a package game which had Stronghold, Dungeon Keep and another I can't remember. Fond memories. I like your enthusiasm when reviewing this game.
Fantastic review my friend! Just discovered this old-school gem. Being a gamer since 80's I cherish the amazing pixel artwork in these early 90's PC games. Thanks for the video and shoutout to Nihilus!
Hey Che, you're usually pretty good at replying to my comments so I wanted to let you know I really love your channel. I have bought so many games based on pretty much just your reviews and I've enjoyed pretty much all of them (ignoring the ones I haven't actually gotten to yet). For example, the OG Deus Ex, Planescape Torment, Morrowind, KoToR 1 and 2, Gothic, Baldur's Gate (which I'm currently playing through) and Vampire Bloodlines (which has now become one of my favorite damn games of all time). Not really much more to say, love your channel, love your choices of games and I wish I could play them all. So have a smiley face. :)
Thank you Kris! .. Vampire Bloodlines is also one of my favorite games ever. ..fucking love it! ... OST is godly too .. my first character was a Termere bisexual gunslinger!
Easily your best written review yet in my opinion. Bout between good and evil? That's the stuff. What more is there to say about Dark Sun? Releasing during that awkward transitional period between SSI and IE generations sadly lead to both of them ending up largely overlooked by RPG fans. Great setting and I always enjoyed the [way out there] fan theory stating Dark Sun was Dragonlance's post-apocalypse when shit goes down with the gods and all.
Thanks dood ...Thanks for being a long term viewer! .. I'm trying to work on cutting the unnecessary rambling in my reviews and stick to the point ...I will still ramble tho just might cut some of it out if I think its out of place haha
If the enemy is smart - Dude, I could kill myself laughing. I'm playing it currently trying to recall all the tricks I learned years ago. It's a good game and it can be brutal if you don't know what you're doing or head into the wrong area because the game doesn't stop you going where you want to, but smart isn't what I'd call the AI here. kill defilers and anything bigger than you are first. Otherwise your character name's probably spaghetti sauce. Though some things in the game do need a + 1 magical weapon, and some will require better than that. Else you just miss them. Multiclassing will give you more options and though it's a little slower to level up, it's pretty much the fun part. Half Giant makes the best gladiator if you want an HP tank; but even the classes that CAN multiclass won't be able to take anything else if they take gladiator. It's particularly focused. Unless you play human, but if you choose to dual class as it's their special feature, you may lose access to weapons and armor as you're bound to the second class' restrictions. Also, since it's AD&D the less AC your character has, the better. Ideally into the negatives. You are right about the spells being half of them basically useless. If you like AoE then go with mostly those spells but be careful where you aim them. There is friendly fire. Interestingly enough that's also how you rest though lol. Haste, and anything that gives you less AC will increase your survivability. Take any healing spell you can learn. Apparently Druids are better than Clerics because there aren't a lot of places turn undead is really needed. Disintegrate for a psionist is fun, but it's costly and almost never goes off. Either the enemy will save against it, or your check will likely fail. Which is disappointing. However it's instant death, so you might get some use later on if you invest in it anyway. Plenty of choice in how you want to play. These are just tips. Both games are actually available on GoG - I'm not sure about Steam as I don't have an account - for those who might want to try it.
Your Gladiator didn't "stop" fighting. He was just under an crowd control spell/effect (because he failed a save roll). It's not a bug, it's a feature ;)
I got this along with Wake of the Ravager (the sequel with the Tarrasque) and the first two Eye of the Beholder games. I spent all summer playing them.
I remember when I first played this being very annoyed that for some reason Athasian Minstrels, the Dark Sun version of Bards, wasn't a class option. The lack of Bards in the games based on 1st Edition AD&D was annoying but made sense due to the difficulty of becoming a Bard in the 1st edition AD&D rules. In 1st edition you had to start as a Fighter and gain several levels then class change to a Thief and gain several levels before class changing to a Bard (Technically the second class change was to a Druid but the character became a Bard instead.) But in 2nd edition Bards were a basic class so I see no legitimate reason not to include them in the game.
Easily the most difficult of the D&D computer games that I played. I remember giving up on this one many times. Not saying it's bad, it was quite good, just really difficult as far as getting weapons, armors and supplies go.
when I was around 9, I had this neighbor who was a senior in high school and there'd be times when he would give me repeated PC games, one of those repeats he gave me was this one, I played it and enjoyed it a lot.
Damn, this was some good review/impression on not very popular game! Without usual cringey youtubers jokes, memes and other stuff. Just dramatic voice and flow of thoughts.
Great Review. I am also intrigued by the setting of the game (more so than the gameplay itself). Since I'm not very knowledgable about DnD, is there a book or novel pertaining to Dark Sun so I can read about the lore of the game? I would love to see the setting in more details without having to play the game. Thank you!
There are multiple runs of Dark Sun novels, both related to the original adventures and later revamps. Just check out the Wikipedia entry - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dark_Sun_novels
@@mandisaw The actual Dark Sun (the traditional DnD one...great artwork!) guides/rules are all written in a 1st person ethnographic way, so that would be a great read (and you can find the pdfs for free scattered about the net), and let you enter "the story" of the game with the actual cultural, social/world knowledge that captured slaves would actually have. Also, great game!
@@qayss8977 Oh yeah, I have the 2e and 4e Dark Sun books, and a couple modules. But the OP specifically said they were looking for a non-game way to enjoy the setting.
Che loving your videos. Btw since you're a huge fan of RPGs, have you ever heard of a indie company known as Supergiant Games? If you have or have not, they've made Bastion, Transistor and Pyre which to me are 3 of the best and finest modern/futuristic RPGs. Plus they also come with a soundtrack that is breathtaking.
I've heard of those games but never played it ... I might have to some day haha I heard good things and yes I agree I love the OSTs ..especially this ruclips.net/video/GDflVhOpS4E/видео.html
Did you know that the person who made fallout of nevada is working on a new tc mod for fallout 2? It's called fallout sonora and it will take place in Mexico.
Glad to hear you're going to make a review of Fallout of Nevada, these mods deserve more attention and I wish bigger fallout channels talked about the Fallout 1/2 mod scene and not just the newer titles. Theres also more information for fallout sonora. From the word of the mod arthur: "The map is located to the right and bottom of F1 map, a bit on the edge of crossing (the region is chosen due to the story theme). Biggest city is named Phoenix. Tucson is also present (named Two Sun), with a crazy faction of tinsmiths. Rangers who established a bastion at Parker Dam - one of the central faction of the story. There are 11 big and 5 smaller locations planned (and almost all of them are tied to the main storyline). The project is aimed for roleplaying and storytelling, like all of you love. I won't tell anything regarding the story because it's too easy to spoil. What about music, I warned Anton that I'm intended to use Fallout OST only. But if this person really wants to grow professionally, then be my guest to research do his best. I only need advisers/consultants/observers, and later - correctors and playtesters." Sadly they're not going to make a english version so it is up the Fallout community to make the english translation themselves again. We also don't know when the mod will take place in the Fallout timeline. Also the Olympus 2207 mod english translation is 37 percent done and is getting a sequal made on unreal engine 4.
You can findout more about Fallout Sonora on No Mutants Allowed nma-fallout.com/threads/fallout-sonora-a-new-project-by-the-developers-of-fallout-nevada.214780/ And you can vist the Olympus website to look at some new screenshots of the sequal. olympus2207.com/en/elementor-34-2/
I did do a video about the first part back when it was named project brazil ... I didn't know they changed the name ..thanks for the update ! I thought the project died ruclips.net/video/Yk6OCYB7Mmk/видео.html
Made a mistake...this came out in 1993 not 1992
Bruh, you forgot about how a lot of the interactions with NPCs can effect the late game. You can kill everyone in the gladiator holding pens, and escape, or you can follow that until the end after 9 fights and get the trust of the top tier gladiators, and escape with them, and they'll be there to help you at the end game. The story isn't much, true, but the interactivity between NPC stories is really well done.
Wait, Scar and his crew can help you in the end fight?
I had no idea. I always escaped via the bottom route.
I really miss these types of D&D games
Blame UBISoft for closing down SSI, i will never forgive that.
Yeah interesting note about D&D settings. Forgotten Realm is the most popular and also probably the most mundane. The only one that is more run of the mill fantasy is Greyhawk Adventures. Spelljammer is basically D&D in space and Ravenloft is a world ruled by horror themed creatures (Vampires, Lycanthropes, Liches, etc.)
I never knew they made Dark Sun games. I read the books back in the mid 90s and they always stuck with me as they were some really original D&D fantasy stories.
Wizards needs to give Obsidian the DnD license.
That would be dope ... they did a good job on Neverwinter nights 2
Fandom Tribal Mask of the betrayer expansion for NWN 2 if my fav part of NWN ..its really good....oh yeah that's just the way it is...sometimes we like videos and other times we sit there like"Wtf" haha
You know what else would be cool? A Dark Sun Souls Like.
Hell yeah, I've been waiting for this, you nailed exactly every thing I like about the setting and game. Great review as usual!
Thank you brother!
One of my favorites. I'm playing through Dark Sun again at the moment. The music is killer. If you haven't heard the Roland LA version of the soundtrack, you might look it up. It kicks ass.
That's the version I used for the background music .. Downloaded it too!
If u run the game in Dosbox, just choose Roland MT32 as music card, and a standard soundblaster card as SFX, it will accept that with no extra software installed.
@@trygve3305 Is MT-32 + SoundBlaster best option for playing Dark Sun?
@@jouce100 It is a matter of taste, its a better/cleaner sound, but it is also a lot different. I would suggest that you try it out at least and see what's most in your taste.
Dark Sun: Shattered Lands and Wake of the Ravager are now available on Steam as a package deal for $10. Steam collection title: Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Sun Series
I remember playing this game in 97/98 in a package game which had Stronghold, Dungeon Keep and another I can't remember. Fond memories. I like your enthusiasm when reviewing this game.
Fantastic review my friend! Just discovered this old-school gem. Being a gamer since 80's I cherish the amazing pixel artwork in these early 90's PC games. Thanks for the video and shoutout to Nihilus!
Hey Che, you're usually pretty good at replying to my comments so I wanted to let you know I really love your channel. I have bought so many games based on pretty much just your reviews and I've enjoyed pretty much all of them (ignoring the ones I haven't actually gotten to yet).
For example, the OG Deus Ex, Planescape Torment, Morrowind, KoToR 1 and 2, Gothic, Baldur's Gate (which I'm currently playing through) and Vampire Bloodlines (which has now become one of my favorite damn games of all time).
Not really much more to say, love your channel, love your choices of games and I wish I could play them all. So have a smiley face. :)
Thank you Kris! .. Vampire Bloodlines is also one of my favorite games ever. ..fucking love it! ... OST is godly too .. my first character was a Termere bisexual gunslinger!
the best D&D setting
This was probably my favorite D&D game to play in the 90s. I don't remember if I ever played the sequel, but I've heard it isn't that much different.
You can get them both on GOG.com for less than 3 dollars in case you want to play them again.
Easily your best written review yet in my opinion. Bout between good and evil? That's the stuff. What more is there to say about Dark Sun? Releasing during that awkward transitional period between SSI and IE generations sadly lead to both of them ending up largely overlooked by RPG fans. Great setting and I always enjoyed the [way out there] fan theory stating Dark Sun was Dragonlance's post-apocalypse when shit goes down with the gods and all.
Thanks dood ...Thanks for being a long term viewer! .. I'm trying to work on cutting the unnecessary rambling in my reviews and stick to the point ...I will still ramble tho just might cut some of it out if I think its out of place haha
If the enemy is smart - Dude, I could kill myself laughing. I'm playing it currently trying to recall all the tricks I learned years ago. It's a good game and it can be brutal if you don't know what you're doing or head into the wrong area because the game doesn't stop you going where you want to, but smart isn't what I'd call the AI here. kill defilers and anything bigger than you are first. Otherwise your character name's probably spaghetti sauce. Though some things in the game do need a + 1 magical weapon, and some will require better than that. Else you just miss them. Multiclassing will give you more options and though it's a little slower to level up, it's pretty much the fun part. Half Giant makes the best gladiator if you want an HP tank; but even the classes that CAN multiclass won't be able to take anything else if they take gladiator. It's particularly focused. Unless you play human, but if you choose to dual class as it's their special feature, you may lose access to weapons and armor as you're bound to the second class' restrictions. Also, since it's AD&D the less AC your character has, the better. Ideally into the negatives. You are right about the spells being half of them basically useless. If you like AoE then go with mostly those spells but be careful where you aim them. There is friendly fire. Interestingly enough that's also how you rest though lol. Haste, and anything that gives you less AC will increase your survivability. Take any healing spell you can learn. Apparently Druids are better than Clerics because there aren't a lot of places turn undead is really needed. Disintegrate for a psionist is fun, but it's costly and almost never goes off. Either the enemy will save against it, or your check will likely fail. Which is disappointing. However it's instant death, so you might get some use later on if you invest in it anyway. Plenty of choice in how you want to play. These are just tips. Both games are actually available on GoG - I'm not sure about Steam as I don't have an account - for those who might want to try it.
Wow this looks really cool. Great video Che!
Thanks buddy ...good to from ya Marty!
Really cool setting. Perhaps one day a developer will revist the world
Your Gladiator didn't "stop" fighting. He was just under an crowd control spell/effect (because he failed a save roll). It's not a bug, it's a feature ;)
Absolutely the best review of this game ever
Holy shit, I completely forgot about this classic! I used to play it as a kid, and I *just* re-downloaded it now. Game on!
Good job che!
Thanks dood!
The game was actually released in November 1993 after multiple delays
I got this along with Wake of the Ravager (the sequel with the Tarrasque) and the first two Eye of the Beholder games. I spent all summer playing them.
I’ll have to check this one out, love the setting!
I remember when I first played this being very annoyed that for some reason Athasian Minstrels, the Dark Sun version of Bards, wasn't a class option. The lack of Bards in the games based on 1st Edition AD&D was annoying but made sense due to the difficulty of becoming a Bard in the 1st edition AD&D rules. In 1st edition you had to start as a Fighter and gain several levels then class change to a Thief and gain several levels before class changing to a Bard (Technically the second class change was to a Druid but the character became a Bard instead.) But in 2nd edition Bards were a basic class so I see no legitimate reason not to include them in the game.
Easily the most difficult of the D&D computer games that I played. I remember giving up on this one many times. Not saying it's bad, it was quite good, just really difficult as far as getting weapons, armors and supplies go.
when I was around 9, I had this neighbor who was a senior in high school and there'd be times when he would give me repeated PC games, one of those repeats he gave me was this one, I played it and enjoyed it a lot.
Damn, this was some good review/impression on not very popular game! Without usual cringey youtubers jokes, memes and other stuff. Just dramatic voice and flow of thoughts.
Great Review. I am also intrigued by the setting of the game (more so than the gameplay itself). Since I'm not very knowledgable about DnD, is there a book or novel pertaining to Dark Sun so I can read about the lore of the game? I would love to see the setting in more details without having to play the game. Thank you!
There are multiple runs of Dark Sun novels, both related to the original adventures and later revamps. Just check out the Wikipedia entry - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dark_Sun_novels
@@mandisaw The actual Dark Sun (the traditional DnD one...great artwork!) guides/rules are all written in a 1st person ethnographic way, so that would be a great read (and you can find the pdfs for free scattered about the net), and let you enter "the story" of the game with the actual cultural, social/world knowledge that captured slaves would actually have.
Also, great game!
@@qayss8977 Oh yeah, I have the 2e and 4e Dark Sun books, and a couple modules. But the OP specifically said they were looking for a non-game way to enjoy the setting.
Great review Che!
Mad Nihilus: Road gladiator.
The prequel that the world needs
Mad Max reference
Che loving your videos.
Btw since you're a huge fan of RPGs, have you ever heard of a indie company known as Supergiant Games? If you have or have not, they've made Bastion, Transistor and Pyre which to me are 3 of the best and finest modern/futuristic RPGs. Plus they also come with a soundtrack that is breathtaking.
I've heard of those games but never played it ... I might have to some day haha I heard good things and yes I agree I love the OSTs ..especially this ruclips.net/video/GDflVhOpS4E/видео.html
Oh yeah that OST is amazing as well. Plus the game Transistor has a Cyberpunk feel that does have this Blade Runner 2049 esque vibe imo ;)
Che, would you ever play Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain?
That series was awesome
Fist of the North Star.
Kinda a dumb question do I have to have DOS OS to play DOS games?
I play this on my android phone with Magic Dosbox. Works great.
@@TheVacationist thanks i really need to get an android
Che, excited for Pillars of Eternity 2?
I know I am, along with Underworld Ascendant and Pathfinder Kingmaker
I am, holy crap do I want it.
Thankfully I got a review copy XD hope it's good.
Yes I am .. Just have to play the first one! ... I fall behind all the time
gosh, were you able to finish the game? I'm at max level and the end final battle keeps f*ckng me up! even on Easy Mode lol
I've always wanted to play Dark Sun Online, but it appears to be a game that has been lost to time.
You have some balls showing up here again! After one entire week without releasing any content...
I got balls of steel!
Did you know that the person who made fallout of nevada is working on a new tc mod for fallout 2? It's called fallout sonora and it will take place in Mexico.
holy fuck ..hell yes ... Im gonna review Fallout of Nevada this summer ..more goodness
Glad to hear you're going to make a review of Fallout of Nevada, these mods deserve more attention and I wish bigger fallout channels talked about the Fallout 1/2 mod scene and not just the newer titles. Theres also more information for fallout sonora.
From the word of the mod arthur:
"The map is located to the right and bottom of F1 map, a bit on the edge of crossing (the region is chosen due to the story theme). Biggest city is named Phoenix. Tucson is also present (named Two Sun), with a crazy faction of tinsmiths. Rangers who established a bastion at Parker Dam - one of the central faction of the story. There are 11 big and 5 smaller locations planned (and almost all of them are tied to the main storyline). The project is aimed for roleplaying and storytelling, like all of you love. I won't tell anything regarding the story because it's too easy to spoil.
What about music, I warned Anton that I'm intended to use Fallout OST only. But if this person really wants to grow professionally, then be my guest to research do his best. I only need advisers/consultants/observers, and later - correctors and playtesters."
Sadly they're not going to make a english version so it is up the Fallout community to make the english translation themselves again. We also don't know when the mod will take place in the Fallout timeline.
Also the Olympus 2207 mod english translation is 37 percent done and is getting a sequal made on unreal engine 4.
You can findout more about Fallout Sonora on No Mutants Allowed
nma-fallout.com/threads/fallout-sonora-a-new-project-by-the-developers-of-fallout-nevada.214780/
And you can vist the Olympus website to look at some new screenshots of the sequal.
olympus2207.com/en/elementor-34-2/
Thank you
Your welcome.
love this reviews, and on the plus side there is no one disliking the video :)
I appreciate the support Tidus :)
The Gladiator lost all hope!
You should do a video about Fallout New California. It’s basically Fallout New Vegas 2 which is really cool.
I did do a video about the first part back when it was named project brazil ... I didn't know they changed the name ..thanks for the update ! I thought the project died ruclips.net/video/Yk6OCYB7Mmk/видео.html
This game looks really fun.
Its pretty fun ..crazy setting
thanks for vidz . ur best
I bought this game when i came out.
is there a non clunky port version of this game?
I dont think there is any updated versions as of this comment
good review bro
4:48 Of course it's a little different from the "other" Gold Box games because this isn't a game using the Gold Box engine.
I was waiting for 800 yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeears!!!
800 years later ..its finally here!